The Grammys has long been criticized for lagging behind popular culture in its recognition of hip hop. The best rap album category wasn’t even created until 1995.
While Mars is a person of color (the Hawaiian native is of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent), there has also been the issue of some fans feeling like artists of color, especially rappers like Lamar, have not been given their just due by Grammy voters.

In 2014, an Instagram post of white rapper Macklemore’s text apologizing to Lamar for winning best rap album went viral.

“He deserved best rap album,” Macklemore wrote in the caption accompanying a picture of his text. “I’m honored and completely blown away to win anything much less 4 Grammys. But in that category, he should have won [in my opinion].”